“Did you get in trouble?”
“I got the silent treatment. Far worse in my opinion.”
“Yeah, I hated when my parents pulled that.”
“Did you get in trouble a lot as a child?”
“No. I think the worse thing I did was sneak out once with Fallyn, and all we did was sit in my backyard and talk. I didn’t drink, didn’t smoke cigarettes or pot, didn’t mess around with boys. Just a boring studious obedient girl.”
I glance at her as we walk. “It seems I did enough for the both of us.”
“Yeah, but I like that you did all that. I like that you lived life and did things that most young people did.”
“I had no choice. The wild streak could not be silenced.”
She smiles. “How are you different than your brother?”
“As different as you are from Fallyn. I love him of course, but we just couldn’t see eye to eye. I told you my parents favored me, now you know why. I was always singled out, in the media, at public events, everywhere. I was always treated special. That’s just the life of the first born. He resented me, my parents, everyone, so he’s been away a long time. I hope he comes back before my father dies. It will break my mother’s heart if he doesn’t.”
“I hope so too.” She stops in front of a shop. “Here we are.”
I open the door and we walk in. A large man with a long brown beard approaches us.
“Are you Richie?” Delaney asks.
“I am. You Delaney?”
“Yep.”
“Great. I’ll be with you guys in about five minutes. Feel free to look through the case and pick out your jewelry.”
“You get to pick,” she says to me.
I rub my hands together and look inside the case. My eyes go straight to a barbell set with amethyst colored stones on the end, our birthstone.
“Do you like that?”
Delaney looks in the case. “Yes.”
“Perfect.” I pull her close. “Are you nervous?”
“No, it can’t be worse than my clit was.”
“Wasn’t it odd opening your legs for a man with a needle in his hand?”
She laughs. “Yes, it was. Fallyn had to hold my knees to keep me from closing them. It was awkward, but the guy was cool. He acted like it was nothing. Could’ve been my ear or my belly button, same difference to him.”
“I’m sure he sees his share.”
“I’m sure.”
“You said it was sexy, but what prompted you to actually do it?”
She shrugs. “Truth be told I saw a porn star online that had one. I thought it was the sexiest thing I ever saw, and I got kind of fascinated by it. I told Fallyn and she told me I should go for it. One day, I just felt like, why the hell not, booked my appointment, and made her come with before I could chicken out.”
“I love that.”
“It worked out.”
“Indeed.”
“Okay,” Richie says. “I’m ready. Come on over.”
Delaney and I walk over and explain the barbell pick. While Richie retrieves them, Delaney pulls up her blouse revealing the gorgeous lace bra she wears.
“You are stunning,” I murmur, brushing my fingers over the fabric.
“Thank you.”
Richie returns with the jewelry and starts to explain the procedure. Delaney nods, unhooks her bra, and releases those perfect tits of hers.
“You need to not handle them for several weeks, no roughness for nine to twelve months, and you—”
“I’m sorry,” I interrupt. “They can’t be touched?”
Richie shakes his head. “No, they need to heal and this is a real sensitive area.”
I let that sink in for a moment watching as he puts a clamp on Delaney’s left nipple.
“Wait.” Delaney and Richie look up at me. “Can I speak to my girlfriend alone for a moment?”
“Yeah, sure.” Richie stands and walks away.
“What’s wrong?” Delaney asks.
“I didn’t think about the healing process. We have so much to do and, well, frankly, I am not ready to keep my hands and my mouth off of them.” I step closer. “Like right now.” I rub my thumb over her hardened nipple. “It’s impossible.”
Delaney smiles. “Do you want to wait?”
I nod. “I want to wait. As much as I desire to see you like that, perhaps the timing isn’t right.”
“Okay. We can plan it for another time.”
“Are you disappointed?”
“No, it’s a good point. I don’t really need the added concern of caring for it with everything else going on. I’ll tell Richie.” She pulls her bra up and her blouse down, then walks over to Richie and has a brief discussion with him. A few minutes later, she shakes hands with him and motions for me to join her at the door.
“Did he understand?” I ask.
“He’s totally cool with it. He doesn’t want to do a piercing on anyone that isn’t one hundred percent sure.”
Back outside I pull her into my arms. “I have a suggestion.”
“Sure.”
“We’ll go one day together when we’re ready. You’ll get those pierced and I’ll add a piercing of your choosing.”
She grins. “Yeah? Anything I want?”
“Anything hidden, yes.”
Laughing, she throws her head back. “Well, I wouldn’t ask you to pierce your nose, Prince Lathan.”
“I didn’t think so.”
“What do you want to do now?”
“Want to go to my place?”
“Yeah, that’ll be nice.”
“Let’s get a taxi.”
“No, let’s just take the T. Let’s be commoners for a while.”
Brushing my thumb across her chin, I smile. “Yes, let’s.”
After our short train ride to my apartment, we walk down the sidewalk, hand in hand.
“What if Ophelia doesn’t like me?”
“Ophelia likes everyone. Well, except Gemma.” I stop walking and smack my forehead. “Fuck. I can’t believe…”
“What? Who’s Gemma?”
Lathan sighs deeply. “I have more to add to my list of awful things I’ve done.”
I tilt my head. “Okay.”
Lathan continues walking, slowly, with his head down. He went from happy and carefree to looking very concerned.
“Are you okay?”
“I can’t believe I forgot to tell you about this. Perhaps my shame caused me to block it out, but now that you’re coming, I have to tell you. You would find out even if I didn’t.” We arrive at his apartment, and he looks up at his door. “Let’s go inside. I’ll tell you about it.”
I follow him inside and wait a moment while he opens the blinds letting the sunlight in. Immediately a smile crosses my lips. I missed being here.
“Gemma is unimportant. She is vile. She’s a conniving, manipulative, lying whore.”
My eyes open wide. “Whoa, okay. What did she do?”
“She’s a horrible person, but she’s Tristan’s sister, so she’s around often.” He wrings his hands together. “Anyway, what I have to tell you is not about her. She’s not worth the oxygen it takes. I have something else to tell you about.”
“I’m listening.”
“I told you of my rebellious ways.”
“Yes.”
“People knew on some level that I was wild, but the specifics were really between me and my parents. Tristan did a lot to protect public exposure.”
“Is he royal?”
“No, but our fathers are very close.”
“I see.”
“Several years ago, I went away one weekend with Tristan. We went to Ibiza, the island off the coast of Spain.” I nod as he speaks. “We met some women there who invited us to their hotel room to party. We did a lot that weekend, drugs, drinking, dancing… other things.”
“Sex.”
He nods. “I didn’t know, of course, but a member of my security detail leaked photos and video of my
activities.”
“Uh oh.”
“Right. My exploits were finally public. My bare body, me with a bong, me drinking shots, me with a naked woman sitting on my lap. All of it.”
“I see.”
“When I was made aware that evidence existed, I made the mistake of not involving my father at the outset, believing I could handle it on my own. When it blew up, it was a mess.”
“I can imagine.”
“I had to publicly apologize and surprisingly, people were swift to forgive, but my father, he was deeply disappointed. He said I was not worthy of my title. He refused to see me or speak to me, so after nearly two years of that, I decided to send myself away, and I came here.”
“Okay.” I nod. “I understand, but why did Gemma’s name trigger this memory?”
He sighs again, shaking his head. “I suppose whenever I think of negative things I think of her.”
“Why? Were you guys an item or something?”
“God no, much to her disappointment. She’s pursued me in the past, and I have declined her attention. Somehow in her mind, she thinks we’re suited for each other, but nothing could be further from the truth. Trust me when I say her interest is not genuine, but entirely about what a marriage to me could give her. She even tried for Arlan, but he won’t have her either. When she finds out about you…” He looks at me with a creased brow. “What is that American expression? She will lose her shit.”
“Oh.”
“Not only would she be jealous of any woman I chose, but you are so beautiful and so…”
“American.”
“Right. I imagine she’ll have something to say about it.”
“I’m not worried. I’m from Boston remember?”
“I do, but you can’t swear at her and take her outside.”
“Oh. Right. I have to be proper like you.”
“At all times publicly,” he says.
“Are you worried about dealing with her?”
“No. I just wanted you to be aware of it.”
I shrug. “Well, why don’t we not worry about that right now? Your scandal doesn’t change anything in my mind, and with Gemma, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. What she thinks doesn’t really matter, does it? You chose me and everyone else can suck it.”
Lathan explodes with laughter. “Oh, I do love that expression.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes.”
“Speaking of sucking…” I wiggle my eyebrows. “You have anything for me?”
“I believe I do.”
I run my hand over his bulge. “I know you do. May I suck it, Your Highness?”
“Ooh, that’s fucking sexy.” He cups my chin. “You know you aren’t required to address me formally when we’re alone?”
“I just wanted to. I think it’s sexy that you’re so…” I smile. “You’re a paradox. One thing on the outside and something else entirely underneath.”
He smiles, searching my eyes. “I love you so, Delaney.”
“I know.” I unbutton his slacks pulling his cock from his boxers. “I just want to please you. I want to make you happy. I want to be your pleasure.”
“You are my pleasure, my heart, my very breath.”
I drag my tongue slowly up the underside of his shaft as he exhales slowly.
“Take your clothes off,” he murmurs. “Let me see your beauty again.”
Standing, I strip my clothes off, throwing each piece at him once it’s off. Once I’m naked, I climb onto his still clothed lap. He reaches forward dragging his fingers between my legs.
“What now, my prince?”
“Touch me. Stroke me. I want to come in your hands and watch you come in mine.”
I smile. “Yeah? You’re not gonna fuck me?”
He sucks in his breath. “Not right now, but I love when you talk like that.”
“You’re just gonna use your fingers on me?”
He nods. “Yes, you’re going to fuck my hand like it’s my cock. I’ll watch your tits bounce like they do, your face contort with pleasure. I’ll listen to your moans then you’ll explode, and I’ll lick my fingers clean. What will you do to me?”
I drag my tongue across both palms then wrap them around his erection. “I’ll use my hands and find the perfect balance of pressure to get you off until you release in my hand.” I tilt my head. “Then I’ll lick my fingers clean.”
“Fuck, Delaney…”
“Unbutton your shirt for me, my prince. Let me see your beauty.”
He does as I stroke his cock, then he plunges two fingers deep inside of me. I sigh, sitting down into him and grinding on his fingers.
“Keep your eyes on mine, Delaney. I want to watch your face.”
I nod, leaning back just slightly so I can get a good rhythm going. Lathan has one hand buried deep in me and the other gripping my tit as I bounce on his hand. His thumb presses on my clit, driving me crazy.
“Ooh,” I moan. “Shit, Lathan.”
“Are you ready to come for me?”
I nod, breathing hard, and trying to stay focused on Lathan’s amazing cock.
“Stay with me a little longer,” he says. “I want to try to come at the same time. Will you try?”
“Yes.”
“Go a little faster for me, but keep your grip. It’s perfect.”
I increase my speed, feeling him harden even more in my hand.
“Yessss, my darling… my princess… fuck, you’re soo good.”
“Do you want me to suck you?”
He shakes his head. “No, stay like this. I love it. You look so good. Your pussy is so wet. You’re dripping down my hand.”
“Oooh, Lathan, I can’t hold back.”
“Ahhhhh,” he moans, exploding in my hand and spurting out his load as my own orgasm hits.
The sensation is different, sharper, more intense, causing me to hold my breath, and I fall forward leaning on his chest as wave after wave ripples through me. After a moment, I look down at the mess between us, surprised to see a huge wet puddle on Lathan’s lap. My eyes open wide. Did that come out of me?
Lathan smiles. “You didn’t know you could do that, did you?”
“What…? How…?”
“There’s a special spot in you, and if I hit it just right I can make this happen.”
“I squirted?”
He laughs. “Indeed you did.”
“I didn’t think that was real.”
“Now you know it is.”
“It was the most intense sensation.”
“I wanted it so much. I hoped I could get you there.”
I smile. “You did.”
He lifts his hand to his mouth and drags his tongue over his fingers, grinning. “You are divine.”
Looking down at my own hands, I smile as I mimic his action. He sighs in response. “So are you.”
Taking my hands, he wipes them on his shirt. “Let’s shower.”
“No, let’s bathe.”
Lathan smiles. “I like the way you think.” After kissing me softly, he leans his forehead against mine. “In fact, I like everything about you.”
“That’s good since I’m moving across the world to be with you.”
Lathan’s smile disappears. “I don’t take it lightly, my love.”
“I know, and I know what a big deal this is for you too. That’s why I know I’m making the right decision. Being without you is not an option.”
“You are making the right decision. Can I tell you something?”
“Of course.”
“Before I decided to invite you back with me, I told my cousin…”
“What?”
“That I would step down and let Arlan take my place so that I could be with you.”
My eyes tear up. “You did?”
“I did. I’ve known my entire life that I was destined to be the king one day, and I accepted it. Until you, I never questioned that would be my path, but if I couldn’t have you, I didn’t want it anymore.”
“Oh, Lathan.”
He smiles. “The good news is, I can have my cake and eat it too. If you stay.”
“I will stay. Even if it’s hard. I will stay as long as you want me to. I’ll only leave if you decide you don’t love me anymore.”
“That will never happen, my angel. Fate gave you to me. She knew the kind of woman I would need to be truly satisfied. She knew I would never marry, never have an heir, never fulfill my destiny without a beautiful, brave, rebellious princess by my side. So she led me to Boston. She had me meet women who failed to excite me then she whispered ‘take a chance’. Do something crazy. So I signed up for a cooking class, and I met you. I looked into your eyes and I smiled. Fate led me here so I could find you, so we could be in love, so we could dream together. She knew I would find my perfect match in you, so, my love, my darling, I will never not love you. Loving you is my destiny, as much as being the king is. It was designed this way.”
I wipe away a tear. “I love you.”
“And I you.”
Hours later, back at my apartment, I finish fixing my hair then walk out of the bathroom to find Lathan standing in front of a window, staring outside.
“Everything alright?”
He turns to face me and smiles. “I’m nervous. Your parents have never met me, and I’m going to ask to take their daughter away.”
I walk closer and put my arms around his waist. “They’ll be surprised, shocked even, but just be you. They know me well enough to know I wouldn’t do something like this on a whim. If you tell them you love me, they’ll believe you.”
“Have you told them anything about me at all?”
I shake my head. “No. I don’t tend to share the details of my love life.”
He nods. “Are there customs in your country about these things? Should I ask to speak to your father alone?”
“No, unless… I mean, uh…”
“What? Unless what?”
“Traditionally, if you plan to propose marriage, you might ask my father alone, but for this situation, you can just speak to them together.”
Lathan smiles, caressing my cheek. “I will marry you, my darling Delaney. I would not ask you to come with me, to live in isolation from everything you know, without making such a commitment.”
“Don’t you want to wait to see how I do?”
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